Kovaleski assumes command of Hunter Army Airfield

By Jennifer Hartwig, Hunter Army Airfield Public AffairsJune 30, 2011

CoC Hunter
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. - “The only constant in the Army is change, and we move from place to place.”

Those are the words of Hunter Army Airfield’s former garrison commander Lt. Col. Jose Aguilar, who on June 23, handed over command of the Hunter garrison to Lt. Col. Ed Kovaleski.

“It’s bittersweet,” said Col. Kevin Milton, Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield garrison commander.

“Number one, you hate to see a good officer leave your command or the community; but second, you know two things: first, you know the officer’s making a good move for the progression of his future, which is good for the Army; the second thing is, the Army’s got a really deep bench, we’ve got a bunch of quality officers, and the incoming commander, Lt. Col. Ed Kovaleski and his Family are going to be just as great and talented and wonderful as the Aguilar’s were.”

During his two years at Hunter, Lt. Col. Aguilar was known for his strong community relations, which he said he is the most proud of during his time at Hunter.

“The people, the friendships and the team " that’s what I’m most proud of," Lt. Col. Aguilar said. “And that’s what I’m going to miss the most.”

Lieutenant Colonel Aguilar " an Army engineer"leaves Savannah for Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where he will serve as chief of staff of the U.S. Army Engineering School.

Lieutenant Colonel Kovaleski comes to Hunter from Fort Meade, Md., where he served as the Operations Officer with the Army’s Asymmetric Warfare Group. He said he has been impressed with the Hunter installation since arriving a week ago.

“I’m honored to take over at Hunter Army Airfield as a part of the Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield team, the Army’s premier power projection platform and a four-time winner of the Army Community of Excellence Award, and after only a week here, I can see why,” Lt. Col. Kovaleski said.

During his first speech as the Hunter commander, he thanked the Soldiers and staff of Hunter Army Airfield and the local communities for their warm welcome.

“Thank you for the tremendous professionalism, support and welcoming to this great community,” he said. “I look forward to serving with all of you.”